Prof. Ichiro Sugimoto of Faculty of International Liberal Arts presented a research report at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) on "Administration and Finance in the Colonial Period of Malaya and Johor during the British Occupation"

On November 3rd, at the Faculty of Letters Auditorium of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM), Professor Ichiro Sugimoto's book "Pentadbiran Kewangan Kolonial di Johor" by Professor Ichiro Sugimoto of the University of Faculty of International Liberal Arts was selected and the third "Telaah UKM" (Academic Book Review Session) was held.
This session was organized by the Perpustakaan Tun Sri Lanang (PTSL) and realized in collaboration with the Center for History, Politics and International Relations (SPHEA) and was conducted at the invitation of President Sufian Juso.

Over 100 participants from both inside and outside the university gathered on the day, and Professor Sugimoto explained the research objectives, methodology, and significance of his book, all in Malay. In his presentation, he introduced the results of a comparative analysis of state-by-state data on fiscal management and the formation process of fiscal discipline in Malaya during the British colonial period, with a focus on the fiscal management of Johor state.
In particular, the research attracted attention for its empirical clarification, based on primary sources, of how Johor state in the early 20th century promoted fiscal autonomy and modernization under the guidance of British financial advisors, and the structure by which the state's funds flowed back to Britain and other British colonies through debt repayments and securities investments.

講評者として登壇したスフィアン・ジュソ学長は、「経済史を学ぶことは、現代マレーシアにおける経済的・社会的持続力の必要性を認識するうえで不可欠である」と述べ、食料安全保障や国内生産、人的資源の開発の重要性に触れながら、「過去の歴史から輸入依存のリスクや自立経済の必要性を学ぶことができる」と強調しました。
また、司会はSPHEAプログラム責任者のモハマッド・イクバル博士が務め、活発な質疑応答と討議が行われました。

Professor Sugimoto stated, "Economic history research is not just an endeavor to describe the past; it is also an academic field that provides insights into the policy issues facing modern society, such as fiscal soundness, regional disparities, and resource allocation."
He also pointed out that the fiscal system and local government experiences during the British colonial period offer important insights into understanding modern Malaysia's decentralization and economic development policies.
Furthermore, he introduced his current research project, which is being conducted through a grant-in-aid for scientific research, which examines the process of wealth creation and accumulation among Chettiar merchant immigrants in British Malaya through the analysis of historical documents on inheritance tax.

This report was conducted as part of the promotion of international collaborative research led by the Center for Malaysian Studies (CMS) at Soka University, and served as a symbolic opportunity to strengthen academic networks with major Malaysian universities and revitalize human exchanges.

Faculty Information

Professor

Ichiro Sugimoto

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Specialized Field

Quantitative economic history (historical economic statistical estimation and empirical analysis), Southeast Asian economic history (British colonial period: Singapore, Malaya, Burma)

Research theme

Long-term historical economic statistical estimation and empirical analysis in Southeast Asian countries